SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan recently told Daily Vidette that despite the stigma that surrounds many artists of their generation, his band have chosen not to grow stale or take advantage of the sense of nostalgia that surrounds their music.

"We know we have a nostalgia to the band," Bolan said. "But we just had a new record come out in August, and we're still looking toward the future.

"A lot of bands that were out at that time are kind of working the nostalgia angle, but we're still moving ahead."

SKID ROW's new frontman Johnny Solinger stepped up to the challenge of leading the band when they kicked out Sebastian Bach in the late '90s a move which Bolan says was wise.

"We gave him the boot," Bolan said, because working with Bach had become much too difficult.

"When you have one person whose ego gets so huge, it becomes more important than the band itself, it isn't fun," he said.

According to Bolan, unlike many bands of their generation, there will never be a reunion tour with the former singer.

"We've never considered it, especially when you consider how far we've come with Johnny. [A reunion] would just be a huge step backward."

Bolan said the band's loyal fans have been accepting of Solinger.

"When we first went out, we didn't know what was going to happen. But 99.9 percent of the time people accept him with open arms as a permanent part of SKID ROW, and that's all we can ask for.

"There are hold-outs who refuse to see the band. But my whole feeling on that is - if you listen to the record or come see [us play] and you honestly think we suck, I can live with that," Bolan added.

"But if you're just that ignorant [that] you're not even going to give it a chance, then maybe we don't need you as a fan," he said.

EDGUY Singer Comments On Decision To Switch Record Labels

EDGUY singer Tobias Sammet has commented on the band's decision to sign with Nuclear Blast Records following a lengthy stint on the AFM label.

"For seven years we have been on AFM Records and we are very thankful for all the support they gave us over the years," he said in a statement "But at a certain point you reach a state where you ask yourself where you can go and what would be best for the band. Nuclear Blast being the home of MANOWAR, HELLOWEEN and HAMMERFALL, to name just a few, have proven that they are able to do an outstanding promotional job. They have got a lot of experience, and we are very optimistic that they will be good enough to do the right job to promote the best heavy metal band in the universe! We are looking forward to writing a new chapter in EDGUY history together with our new partners!"

EDGUY's upcoming studio album, "Hellfire Club", will be released on Nuclear Blast in March 2004 with an as-yet-untitled EP to precede that release. More details will be posted as they become available.

MINISTRY To Begin Recording In November

MINISTRY are set to begin recording their new album on November 1. As a result, they will not be able to attend the Chicago Heros Awards ceremony next month honoring the group with a "Lifetime Achievement Award". Because MINISTRY cannot attend the event, the Chicago Heros Awards have decided to present the award to MINISTRY next year instead.

MINISTRY's follow-up to this year's "Animositisomina" is due next spring/summer through Sanctuary Records.

THE HAUNTED Guitarist Talks About Vocalist Change

THE HAUNTED guitarist Patrik Jensen spoke to www.futhermocker.dk on Monday (October 6) about singer Marco Aro's departure from the group and the return of original vocalist Peter Dolving.

"Marco let us know about him leaving the band when we still had a few gigs left to do [as part of our last tour]," Jensen revealed. "He was of course fine with doing the remaining shows, but wanted to let us know in fairly good time before the last show, so we could start searching for a new singer as soon as possible... So, yes, Marco and the band knew that the show in Malmö [in August] was his last show before we got up on stage.

"We were, or at least I was, almost paralyzed for the first two weeks [after Marco left], not knowing where to look... I mean, just the feeling of members leaving the band, felt so frustrating...especially now, when we were finally free to get a new contract and everything. It felt like quitting on the finishing line to me at first...but this was a conscious thought from Marco's side. He wanted us to start fresh, with a singer that would be with the band for the long run...So, full respect once again to Marco. We had maybe one or two names we wanted to look into more carefully, but when we heard about Peter being interested, everything else was put on the backburner."

When asked if he was confident that Peter would be able to pull off singing in a more aggressive style after not playing in any heavy bands for so long, Jensen said, "Oh, I have no doubt in my mind at all about that. Peter is a really good singer...and if he has done anything to his voice between the time he left the band and now, is learning how to sing even better. I have total confidence in Peter's ability to take the band to the next level.

"Peter will be more involved in the writing process, as Peter lives here in Gothenburg (Marco lives in Stockholm, a five-hour drive away) So, saying that the songs will be more vocal orientated is not stretching it... Peter has a very wide range of vocals...so it'll be both aggressive and low-key vocals for sure."

THE HAUNTED, who have fulfilled their contractual obligations to Earache Records with the release of this year's "One Kill Wonder", hope to sign a new record deal during the coming months. The group's new studio album is not expected to surface before late spring/early summer.

SLAYER: 'Soundtrack' Box Set Contents Revealed

SLAYER's long-awaited four-disc box set, "Soundtrack To The Apocalypse" (American Recordings/UMe), will finally be released on November 25.

A three-CD/one-DVD box set regular edition and four-CD/one-DVD specially packaged "ammo box" for the deluxe version, "Soundtrack To The Apocalypse" includes tracks spanning every SLAYER album since 1986, soundtrack cuts, Japan-only tracks, more than a dozen rarities, and a DVD of live performances spanning 20 years, all digitally remastered. The deluxe edition adds a full-length concert CD from SLAYER's 2002 "God Hates Us All" tour stop in Anaheim, California, presented in a "blood pack" sleeve (with faux blood and floating skulls). The tour was the band's first with original drummer Dave Lombardo since 1992. The deluxe edition also includes a wall banner and replica backstage laminate. Both editions have an extensive booklet spotlighting a history based on interviews with each member and long-time producer Rick Rubin.

Disc 1 opens with five tracks from SLAYER's 1986 major label debut, "Reign In Blood", considered the most brutal thrash metal album of all time. Among the fan favorites are "Postmortem" and "Raining Blood". The album was the first of four consecutive gold studio albums, an impressive feat for a band that receives little radio or MTV exposure. From 1988's "South Of Heaven" are five tracks, including the title track. Culled from 1990's "Seasons In The Abyss" are another quintet, including "Dead Skin Mask". 1991's live "Decade Of Aggression" contributes three "Chemical Warfare" and "Hell Awaits" among them.

Disc 2 continues the chronology with five recordings from 1994's "Divine Intervention", three from 1996's "Undisputed Attitude", a trio from 1998's "Diabolus In Musica" and another three from 2001's "God Hates Us All". Songs heard on various soundtracks are joined by two cuts previously unreleased in the U.S. from the Japanese "Diabolus In Musica", two more from the import "God Hates Us All" and a bonus cover of the SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' "Memories Of Tomorrow" from the Japan-only "Undisputed Attitude".

Disc 3 focuses on rarities, from the earliest known SLAYER recordings (previously unreleased 1983 live tracks) to seminal tracks taken from the band's garage rehearsals and even home demo recordings. The Disc 4 DVD showcases performances throughout the band's career and throughout the world as well as various TV appearances from singer-bassist Tom Araya, guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, and Lombardo.

CELTIC FROST Reject Rumors That They Have Priced Themselves Out Of A Record Deal

Reunited Swiss "avant-garde" metallers CELTIC FROST, who have yet to announce a new record deal for a comeback album that they've been diligently working on for over two years, recently lashed out at a "fan" for suggesting that the group's unrealistic contractual demands will require some "toning down" before a respectable record label will invest money in a band that hasn't released a studio album since 1990's "Vanity/Nemesis".

Writing to the band's official message board, CELTIC FROST guitarist/vocalist Tom Gabriel Fischer said, "The 'demands made' past and present relate directly to our artistic freedom and perhaps even more to the point our artistic integrity. These topics are extensive (and not: 'expensive'), and they are usually connected to a trade-off of control of an album between the record company and the band. The company is usually afraid the band will go too far (especially in the case of CELTIC FROST) to still attain any commercial success and the band is usually concerned about the record company compromising an artistic concept or vision.

"This process is magnified in the case of the new album, because it incorporates an *extremely* wide range of musical material, and some very radical views. Needless to say, this is why the 'Probe' album we are working on right now pushes all these principles to the max. As did every other unusual album CELTIC FROST ever did, [including] 'To Mega Therion' (1985) and 'Into The Pandemonium' (1987).

"As for the financial contents of the contracts on our desks right now: the 1980s are long gone, my friend, and the monetary amounts that are realistic now are outright meager in comparison. Especially for a high-risk album like ours, for which nobody especially not the band can guarantee any particular sales figures.

"By the time the album will see the light of the day in 2003, we will have invested *at least* as much money in it as the record company, if not substantially more. We, and I in particular, have been financing the traveling, equipment, writing, and many recording sessions for this new CELTIC FROST album for over two years now, and we will still finance a significant amount of the production ourselves until industry money will come into play. And there is no way in hell any record company will ever reimburse us for all of this, unless the album will be an outstanding success."

QUEENSRCHE: Live Performance Video Clip Posted Online

QUEENSRCHE will release a DVD-Audio version of their latest CD, "Tribe", on November 4 through Sanctuary. Included on the disc will be the 24 bit/96 kHz DVD-Audio (MLP) and 24 bit/48 kHz Dolby Digital (AC3) 5.1 surround sound options, a "Desert Dance" live performance video, a QUEENSRCHE Photo Gallery & Lyrics. (Macromedia Flash 6.0 required) Check out the live performance of "Desert Dance" (taken from the forthcoming DVD-Audio): Low-Speed, High-Speed.

QUEENSRCHE will be making an October 15 appearance on the syndicated radio program "Rockline" to help promote their headlining tour, which stops in Kalamazoo, Michigan tomorrow night (October 9). A list of radio stations that carry the program is posted at the official "Rockline" web site.

New SPEARFISH CD To Feature High-Profile Guest Appearances

Paul Dianno (IRON MAIDEN), Mick Box (URIAH HEEP), Nicky Moore (SAMSON), Manny Charlton (NAZARETH), Stefan Elmgren (HAMMERFALL), and Dave Hill (DEMON) are among the guest artists featured on the forthcoming SPEARFISH CD, "Back, For The Future", due on October 31 through Sweden Rock Records. All proceeds from the album will be donated to the Children's Cancer Foundation.


JOHNNY ROTTEN's Autobiography To Be Adapted For The Big Screen

SEX PISTOLS frontman Johnny Rotten (a.k.a. John Lydon) is adapting his classic autobiography for the big screen, according to NME.com.

Rotten is reportedly working on the project with director Penelope Spheeris, whose credits include "Wayne's World", "The Decline Of Western Civilization" and "Senseless", and production company Panacea Entertainment.

Although there is no news as yet on release dates or casting details, interest in the project has led to the book, "Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs", being reissued. The new edition will be published in January 2004, ten years after the book first came out.

Regarded widely as the definitive account of the rise and fall of the SEX PISTOLS, "Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs" includes contributions from former PISTOLS Steve Jones and Paul Cook, plus key figures such as Chrissie Hynde and Don Letts.

The book's controversial title comes from a sign outside a hotel at which the band once stayed.

DEATH ANGEL Sign With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

Reunited San Francisco Bay Area metallers DEATH ANGEL have signed a multi-album record deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band are expected to enter the studio in early 2004 to begin recording their first CD since 1990's "Act III", tentatively due later in the year.

Speaking to Chile's Grinder magazine in late 2002, DEATH ANGEL bassist Dennis Pepa explained the group's decision to reform as a full-fledged band following an appearance at the 2001 Thrash Of The Titans benefit concert for TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy.

"For years after we broke up people would ask us to get back together," Pepa stated. "We even had offers to go on tour and record even while we were broken up. We said 'No' to every single offer or thought to put the band back together. Not until we heard about Chuck and the benefit that was for him. We were invited to play the Thrash of The Titans. We thought that we needed to play this show not for us but, for Chuck Billy and his cause. So we pushed our bullshit aside and finally came to an agreement that we would do this show. So, we actually have Chuck to thank. He was the first reason we got back together in the fist place. That show made us realize that we were meant to be DEATH ANGEL."

Upcoming DEATH ANGEL tour dates:

Oct. 24 Concord, CA @ The Cadillac Ranch
Oct. 25 - Santa Rosa, CA @ Last Day Saloon


MORBID ANGEL To Join SUPERJOINT RITUAL Tour In November

MORBID ANGEL are tentatively scheduled to join the upcoming SUPERJOINT RITUAL North American tour as main support beginning on November 1 in Baltimore, Maryland. DEVILDRIVER, the new band fronted by former COAL CHAMBER singer Dez Fafara, are expected to fill the opening slot on the entire trek, which is slated to kick off on October 16 in Columbus, Ohio. There is no word yet on who will occupy the middle slot on the tour prior to November 1. SEPULTURA, who were previously announced as the main-support act on the tour, have now officially pulled off the trek. No reason was given for their cancellation.

KISS' 'Symphony' DVD Tops Australian Chart For Second Week In A Row

KISS's "Kiss Symphony" DVD has topped the Australian Music DVD chart for the second week in a row, according to the official web site of the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA). The DVD, which features KISS members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Tommy Thayer playing classic songs such as "Rock And Roll All Nite", "Deuce", "Love Gun", and "Detroit Rock City" accompanied by the 60-member Melbourne Symphony Orchestra all sporting full KISS makeup, was released in the U.S. on September 9 through Sanctuary Visual Entertainment. As previously reported, a single-disc version of the "KISS Symphony" CD was released on October 7 through Kiss/Sanctuary Records.

Former GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist To Present Award At 'MTV Video Music Awards Latin America'

Former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash will be one of the presenters at the second annual "MTV Video Music Awards Latin America" (VMALAs) on October 23 at Miami Beach's Jackie Gleason Theater. Slash will be co-presenting with 19-year-old singer Elan, whose debut album, "Street Child", features a guest appearance by the guitarist. The event will be broadcast live on Thursday, October 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. Mexico, 9:00 p.m. Chile and 10:00 p.m. Argentina).

MASTODON Complete Work On First Video

Relapse Records recording artists MASTODON have completed work on their first music video for the track "March of the Fire Ants" off their acclaimed release "Remission". The clip was shot in the band's hometown of Atlanta with director Chad Rullman (NEUROSIS) and is said to be a "surreal narrative" incorporating principal photography, and featuring MASTODON performing as a part of the story line. It is expected to make its world debut imminently.

Having returned to Atlanta after more than a year of non-stop touring, MASTODON will now resume work on the as-yet-untitled follow-up to "Remission", slated for a summer 2004 release. The deluxe version of MASTODON's "Remission" CD with a free, bonus DVD featuring a pro-filmed nine song live set complete with previously unreleased material is due in stores October 21.

MASTODON's "March of the Fire Ants" appears on the MTV2 "Headbanger's Ball" 2xCD compilation alongside tracks from hard music giants DEFTONES, HATEBREED and SLAYER, as well as fellow fast-rising artists KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, SHADOWS FALL, POISON THE WELL and ARCH ENEMY.

OZZY OSBOURNE To Perform For Charity

OZZY OSBOURNE is among the artists that will be performing on stage at London's Royal Albert Hall on October 15 for Fashion Rocks for The Prince's Trust. Other acts set to appear include BEYONCE, SHERYL CROW, KELIS, BRYAN ADAMS, ROBBIE WILLIAMS, and BRYAN FERRY.

Supermodel, actress and singer Milla Jovovich will also be performing and there will be a live satellite performance by David Bowie.

Sold out weeks ago, Fashion Rocks is one of the most exciting and revolutionary fundraising events ever. Presented by the glamorous pairing of Elizabeth Hurley and Denis Leary, this prestigious event will see the world's top fashion houses joining forces with the world's leading artists in the ultimate fusion of catwalk and concert.

Sir Tom Shebbeare, Chief Executive of The Prince's Trust, says "Fashion Rocks is a hugely exciting fundraising event for The Prince's Trust. Music and fashion is a powerful combination and the fantastic support we have received from long-standing Trust supporters like Nicholas Coleridge, Managing Director of Conde Nast, and icons from the world of show business will help us to give even more young people a second chance in life."

The Prince's Trust is the U.K.'s leading charity for young people, helping individuals overcome barriers to get their lives working.

The world's top fashion models will showcase the collections of 17 international designers on a specially designed catwalk. Each show will be accompanied by live music from a different major rock act or singer.

The set design will feature an under-lit circular catwalk and the largest video projection screen ever used. The event will also be broadcast in primetime on Channel 4 and by more than 70 international stations.

ANTHRAX'S SCOTT IAN: 'We're Just Being Ourselves'

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian recently told Chart Attack that unlike some of their peers, they've never felt the need to take themselves too seriously or pretend something they're not.

"What we do musically we take seriously, but who we are as people, we don't need to put on a fake front to be perceived as a metal band," he said. "Putting on that band face acting or dressing a certain way I don't give a shit about that. I'm just me. If I'm in a bad mood, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I feel bad sometimes because people want to talk to me and I'm not going to be fake. We don't act in ANTHRAX that's what set us apart in the '80s. . . For some bands it works, but certainly not us. Look at SLAYER: Tom [Araya, singer] has had a 'band face' on since they started. They have a look and attitude that works for them. If we turned around and tried to be like SLAYER tomorrow, people would be like, 'C'mon... who are you trying to kid?' They've kept that image about them for years. Meet them and they're the nicest guys but to have that unapproachable vibe is important for the music. I've had kids say they met Kerry King [SLAYER guitarist] and he was a dick. I'm like, 'Have you listened to their records? What did you want?' He's not a dick at all, but it's Kerry King from SLAYER! Is he gonna be dancing and clowning around? You have an expectation of a band and ours is to just be ourselves."

EDGUY Sign With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

German power metallers EDGUY have signed a long-term deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The group's first release for the label an as-yet-untitled EP will surface in early 2004, to be followed by the band's new full-length studio effort, "Hellfire Club" in March. Singer Tobias Sammet describes the album as the group's "most diverse and majestic" offering so far. The follow-up to 2001's "Mandrake", which includes a collaboration with the German film orchestra Babelsberg (SCORPIONS), was produced by EDGUY and Norman Meiritz, with additional assistance from Sascha Paeth (RHAPSODY, ANGRA), who was responsible for the mighty drum sound on the album. The final mix took place at the famous Finnvox Studios (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS) in Helsinki, Finland.

AC/DC: London Show Confirmed

To celebrate the re-launch of the Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London, England, an extremely rare and exclusive appearance will take place by one of the greatest and most influential rock bands in the world: AC/DC.

For ONE night only, on Tuesday 21st October, Carling will bring Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams to London's landmark live venue to thrill and inspire a gathering of their most dedicated fans with a display of sonic power and energy that continue to define their live shows. Not only that, but they are also tearing the seats out of the venue for the first time in its history, making it the biggest dedicated live music venue in London.

This exclusive show occurs during a year when AC/DC have reasserted their dominance over the world of hard rock. The timeless AC/DC catalogue has been remastered and reissued to huge critical and popular acclaim. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And the resurgence of rock music itself owes a great deal to the innovation of this band, with almost every new act acknowledging the importance and influence of AC/DC.

To get hold of tickets for this event you must be registered on Carlinglive.com - if you haven't already registered then do it here now.

Tickets will be made available for reservation from 9am on Monday 13th October and will only be available through this site to registered users.

Tickets will be priced £10 each. Maximum of 2 tickets per person. After you have reserved your tickets, you will receive an email containing all the instructions you need on how to pick up your tickets on the day of the gig at the venue box office.

You will need ID (passport or driving licence only) and a print out of the email you receive to pick up your pair of tickets. Payment is strictly cash only - no other forms of payment will be accepted.

Your tickets will be in the form of wristbands which are strictly non-transferable. This ticketing method is specifically at the request of the band and is designed to ensure all tickets go to fans and not ticket brokers. It also allows us to avoid any added charges of ticket agencies.

Get your tickets from 9am UK Time on Monday 13th October to reserve your tickets for AC/DC go to www.carlinglive.com.

All directions and travel information plus a printable map of the venue location are available at this location

JOEY BELLADONNA: More Tour Dates Announced

Former ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna has announced additional tour dates as part of his fall tour.

Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

Oct. 28 - The Machine Shop - Flint, MI
Oct. 29 - O'Malley's - Alsip, IL
Oct. 30 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
Oct. 31 - Club Rocket - Toronto, ONT
Nov. 28 - The Loft (The Chance) - Poughkeepsie, NY
Nov. 29 - Jarrod's - Attleboro, MA
Dec. 02 - The Key Club - Hollywood, CA
Dec. 03 - The Galaxy Theatre - Santa Ana, CA

As previously reported, Belladonna recently made available via his official web site MP3 clips of six songs to be included on his forthcoming third full-length album, tentatively due in early 2004. The as-yet-untitled follow-up to 1998's "Spells Of Fear" (DeRock Records) was recorded in Syracuse, New York and features Belladonna on vocals and drums alongside songwriting partner Matt Zuber (ex-FUTURE DRIVEN), who is believed to have handled the rest of the instruments on the record. Check out the clips (songtitles unavailable): Track#1, Track#2, Track#3, Track#4, Track#5, Track#6.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Drummer Out?

Drummer Tom Gomes is strongly rumored to have left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. His replacement, according to unconfirmed reports, is Justin Foley from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones' other band, BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED. No further information is available at this time.

SLAYER: 'Soundtrack' Box Set To Surface In Late November

SLAYER's long-awaited four-disc box set "The Soundtrack To The Apocalypse" will now surface on November 25, according to a source close to the band. The set will include album tracks, live material and soundtrack contributions.

As previously reported, SLAYER have written seven songs for a new album they hope to have out early next year. The follow-up to 2001's "God Hates Us All" will mark the group's first studio release since 1990's "Seasons In The Abyss" to feature original drummer Dave Lombardo, who rejoined the group two years ago. In the meantime, the band headline the Jagermeister Fall Music Tour with HATEBREED and ARCH ENEMY beginning on October 8 in Minneapolis.

JERRY CANTRELL Debuts 'New' Band At SAMMY HAGAR's CABO WABO MEXICAN MELTDOWN

Former ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell debuted his "new" solo band William Duvall (guitar, COMES WITH THE FALL), Adam Stanger (bass, COMES WITH THE FALL), plus a couple of as-yet-undisclosed session musicians at Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Mexican Meltdown on October 3-4. Jerry reportedly played a full set on both nights (including an "awesome" cover of PINK FLOYD's "Dark Side Of The Moon") and stuck around on the second night to partake in an all-star jam that featured members of SAMMY HAGAR AND THE WABORITAS, former MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS skinbasher Chad Smith. Among the "blazing" highlights, according to Hagar's web site, "was an impromptu medley of THE BEATLES' 'Come Together' and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' 'Give It Away' with Chad on drums, WABORITA bassist Mona, WABORITA guitarist Vic Johnson, WABORITA Jesse Harms on keyboards, WABORITA David Lauser on percussion and Tommy on percussion. Also scorchers included Tommy sitting in for the MONTROSE hit 'Rock Candy', Sammy singing lead on the ALICE IN CHAINS hits 'Man in the Box' and 'No Excuses' and everyone on stage for some of Sammy's greatest hits including 'Shaka Doobie', 'Finish What Ya Started' and 'Best of Both Worlds'."

Stated Sammy, "This was one of absolute highlights in my career. I am a very lucky person, and man, it just doesn't get any better than this."

New Swedish Death Metal Band To Include Members Of ENTOMBED, THE PROJECT HATE

A brand-new "old-school" death metal band has just been formed in Sweden with the following lineup:

Lord K (a.k.a. Kenth Philipson) (THE PROJECT HATE) guitar
Jörgen Sandström (ENTOMBED, THE PROJECT HATE, ex-GRAVE) vocals
Tomas Elofsson (SANCTIFICATION) bass
Tobias Gustafsson (VOMITORY) - drums

Says Lord K, "I'm in the middle of putting eight tracks together for a album in the true old-school death metal style just because I can, and because we will do this better than most.

"I haven't talked to [THE PROJECT HATE's label] Threeman Recordings about an eventual deal for the album with them, but I'm sure getting us a deal with anyone else won't be too hard if Threeman declines. We haven't set a date for the recording just yet but it seems like we can record this in just a few months as the songwriting goes excellent. I'd love to record it in Soundlab, where we record the [THE PROJECT HATE] albums, but I'm not sure if it's booked or not for a long time, I have to look that up.

"It'll be so downtuned you will weep, it's be so excellent you'll give up any musical careers you might have, and you will completely bow down before another form of domination.

"I'll keep you posted on the songwriting-process and whatever the hell happens, but this album will be so excellent it's not even funny.

"3 songs completed, they took 3 hours to write. So in approximately 5 hours we'll have a complete album worth of killer death metal done. No name for the band selected just yet."

A PERFECT CIRCLE Pull Out Of Australia's BIG DAY OUT Festival

A PERFECT CIRCLE have pulled out of Australia's Big Day Out festival, citing reasons "too complex to explain," according to the festival's organizers.

In an official statement announcing the cancellation, the organizers wrote, "after previously confirming their appearance in writing, the representatives of A PERFECT CIRCLE have now advised us that for reasons too complex for us to explain, the act will not be performing at the 2004 series of Big Day Out festivals. We are still hoping to convince them to stay on the show but we felt it necessary to bring this to the attention of all concerned before tickets go on sale."

The organizers added, "We bring you this news with a mixture of disappointment, confusion and frustration."

Other artists still confirmed to take part in the traveling festival include METALLICA, THE STROKES, DANDY WARHOLS, BLACK EYED PEAS and BASEMENT JAXX alongside local acts JET, THE DATSUNS, HOODOO GURUS and SOMETHING FOR KATE.

Tickets for Big Day Out 2004 go on sale October 10.

CAMP FREDDY Sign With SANCTUARY RECORDS

CAMP FREDDY, the Los Angeles-based "jam" band consisting of JANE'S ADDICTION guitarist Dave Navarro, former THE CULT touring bassist Billy Morrison (on guitar), ex-GUNS N' ROSES/THE CULT drummer Matt Sorum, bassist Scott Ford, and vocalist Donovan Leitch (the son of 1960s U.K. folk-rock icon Donovan), have signed a deal with Sanctuary Records and will begin recording their debut album next month. Mike Clink (GUNS N' ROSES, METALLICA) will produce the album, which is expected to include guest appearances by Macy Gray, Perry Farrell, Kelly Osbourne and former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash.

"We're covering all these glam and punk songs," Leitch told Rolling Stone. Among the cuts set to appear on the effort are T-REX's "20th Century Boy", DAVID BOWIE's "Jean Genie" and LED ZEPPELIN's "Whole Lotta Love", the latter of which is expected to be released as the first single. "It'll be Matt on drums, Perry on vocals and Slash and Jimmy Page on guitar," Leitch said. "Slash is good friends with Page, so we're thinking he will put in a call [to ask Page to appear on the album], too."

In addition to the CD, which is due in the spring, a DVD documenting the recording sessions is planned for release sometime next year.

MESHUGGAH Speak Out On Label Situation, Upcoming EP

Swedish experimental extreme metal band MESHUGGAH have posted the following update on their official web site:

What's up guys!? Thought we should post a 'little something' regarding these darn label rumors.

We're releasing a 'one-off' thing on a small label called Fractured Transmitter Records.

"The label is owned by Jason Mann of MUSHROOMHEAD we're good friends with the guys and this release is just a fun thing that we're doing for the hell of it! In other words this is in NO way any kind of pointer as to where we'll be going for the next full-length! We're currently discussing with a few different labels, but no decision has been made as to where we'll end up!

"The basic idea of this 'one-off' thing is an EP, probably containing just one song, some 20 minutes long!!! So...keep your ears peeled for that release, due for release sometime next spring!

"As for next full-length release, as soon as we know what label it will be released under you'll know it too!"

As previously reported, MESHUGGAH vocalist Jens Kidman recently recorded a guest appearance on MUSHROOMHEAD's forthcoming CD, "XIII", due on October 14 through Universal Records. Kidman shares lead vocal duties with Mann in the track "The Dream Is Over".

KITTIE To Debut New Material On Upcoming Tour

Canadian metal band KITTIE will use The Kiss of Infamy Tour with MOTOGRATER and 40 BELOW SUMMER to debut their first new material since the release of their 2001 sophomore CD, "Oracle".

"This tour is going to be special because we will be giving our fans the chance to preview new songs before they have even been recorded," said drummer Mercedes Lander. "We are so excited to see the reactions of our fans when they hear the new material."

Added guitarist/frontwoman Morgan Lander: "We have been working hard to prepare for this tour and in doing so have written some amazing new material. These are the first new songs we have written in over two years, and musically it all came together so quickly that most were written in a week. The maturation of the band is really obvious, and we are totally pleased with the outcome."

After the release of "Oracle", KITTIE wore their road-warrior gear steadily until a recent half-year break, during which the band have been involved in a lawsuit against their record company.

"After seven months of hiatus, with a few Mexico shows in between, we are ready to get back on the road and do what we do best!" said Morgan. "We are truly ecstatic to be back out on the road. But most importantly, we are anxious to hear fan feedback and just plain rock."

The tour, which will encompass the entire United States, will run from October 18 to December 1.

MOTÖRHEAD: 25th Anniversary Concert To Be Released On CD

MOTÖRHEAD will release a double-live CD, titled "Live At Brixton Academy", on November 17 through SPV Records. The set, which contains the group's complete 25th Anniversary concert from October 22, 2000 (previously, the concert had appeared only partly with the DVD "Boneshaker"), features the following track listing:

CD1:

01. We Are Motörhead
02. No Class
03. I'm So Bad (Baby I Don't Care)*
04. Over Your Shoulder
05. Civil War*
06. Metropolis
07. Overnight Sensation*
08. God Save The Queen
09. Born To Raise Hell
10. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
11. Stay Out Of Jail
12. Dead Men Tell No Tales

CD2:

13. You Better Run*
14. Sacrifice
15. Orgasmatron*
16. Going to Brazil
17. Broken
18. Damage Case
19. Iron Fist*
20. Killed By Death
21. Bomber
22. Ace Of Spades
23. Overkill

* Exclusive tracks, previously unavailable on CD

WHITE LION Singer Speaks Out On Upcoming Reunion

WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp recently released the following statement to MelodiRock.com regarding the group's upcoming reunion:

"Since I have been on the road in Europe, there has been a new story every night about a potential WHITE LION reunion for next year. Since I have always been a man of facts rather than rumors, here's what's REALLY going on.

"In the summer, I realized that, if there ever was to be a [WHITE LION] reunion, it would have to be in 2004 and not at any other time. I spoke to the other members of the band and told them of my plans and, as we are living in the time we are living in, everything depends on what is really on the table.

"My manager and I talked to our agent, he tested the waters and the reactions were overwhelming from many parts of the world. Same goes for record companies and publishers, who all felt that this could be a very strong project for next year.

"At this point, the ONLY thing that is confirmed is that there will be a WHITE LION tour in 2004. I am not able to confirm the line-up, I am not able to confirm the songs that will be played and I am not able to confirm any shows except that we will be co-headlining Bang Your Head 2004 in Balingen, Germany.

"The goal is to play as many shows in the summer as possible and whatever you read right here is the truth. Enjoy the rumors on the internet, but unless you see it at www.melodicrock.com, it is nothing but a rumor. All the best, Mike Tramp."